City
Epaper

N.Korea says it tested 'new weapon' under Kim's guidance

By IANS | Updated: August 17, 2019 09:15 IST

North Korea said on Saturday that it has tested a "new weapon" under the guidance of its leader, Kim Jong-un, in the launch of two projectiles the previous day, the media reported.

Open in App

Kim "guided the test-fire of (a) new weapon again on Friday morning", the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"The national defence scientists showed a perfect result in the test-fire, too, and helped cement bigger confidence in this weapon system.

"It is our party's goal of defence building to possess invincible military capabilities no one dare provoke and to keep bolstering them," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

"Everyone should remember that it is the party's core plan and fixed will for defence building to possess such a powerful force strong enough to discourage any forces from daring to provoke us."

KCNA did not provide other details on the weapon, including its name, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The report came a day after South Korea's military said that the North fired two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. It said that they flew around 230 km at a maximum altitude of 30 km.

Military experts say that the projectiles bear outward similarities to the US' Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a surface-to-surface missile system.

Friday's firing came six days after North Korea flew two projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, though the North said later it tested a "new weapon". It also was the sixth such launch since late July.

North Korea has carried out weapons tests in recent weeks in apparent protest of the ongoing joint military exercise by South Korea and the US, which it sees as a rehearsal for invasion.

Earlier this week, the North warned that inter-Korean dialogue won't resume unless the South offers a "plausible excuse" for its combined military exercise with the US.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

PoliticsTelangana CM Revanth Reddy performs Bhoomi Pooja for Basara temple expansion

International"If I had my choice, I'm a businessman first": Trump eyes Iran's oil

Politics"Mamata Banerjee just wants votes and nothing else": BJP candidate Rekha Patra

International"Today will be largest volume of strikes": US Secy of War Pete Hegseth warns Iran

PoliticsHimanta Biswa Sarma, his wife continue to counter Congress over its allegations; FIR lodged with Assam Police

International Realted Stories

International"No power plant, stone ages": Trump sets 8 pm tomorrow deadline for Iran

InternationalMarkets, Malls to shut by 8 pm in Pakistan as fuel crisis deepens

InternationalTrump sets deadline, warns Iran of strikes​

InternationalArtemis II mission breaks record for farthest distance travelled by humans from Earth

InternationalTrump eyes Iran oil as war spoils​